As the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this Saturday in the United States, most fans' attention will be focused on the soccer superstars competing for up to $125 million, names like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland representing their clubs.
But the extraordinary story of New Zealand's amateur team Auckland City FC has gone largely unnoticed, with its players poised for the journey of a lifetime to take on the world's elite, writes A2 CNN. Based on the outskirts of New Zealand's largest city, the team is made up of players who work or study full-time in addition to their football commitments.
From industrial forklift drivers to soft drink salesmen and real estate agents, this small club's rise to the top of world football has been compared by some to a Hollywood movie script.
After winning the Oceania Champions League last year, Auckland City secured participation in this tournament as the continent's sole representative.
Placed in a group that includes Bayern Munich, Benfica and Argentine legends Boca Juniors, this humble team from Oceania will try to make history on the biggest club stage.
To follow the dream, amidst work and sacrifices
In an interview with CNN Sports, team captain Mario Ilich said that the “love of the game” was the driving force behind their achievement. “People say that professional footballers work hard and rightly so, but we are trying to compete at the highest level while holding down two or even three jobs,” he said.
Ilich, who works as a sales representative for Coca-Cola, described his daily routine as a race against time. “I wake up around 5 a.m. to go to the gym, come back for breakfast, and go to work at 8. I finish around 5 p.m. and rush to the gym at 6. I get home at 9 p.m., have dinner, and sleep to start over the next day.”
The team trains four days a week, with matches taking place on Saturdays. It's a schedule that leaves little time for family or personal life, and often takes a toll on family relationships. "I only see my girlfriend on Friday nights for dinner, or the occasional Sunday. But luckily, she supports me and understands that a player's career is short," he added.
Facing football legends
Goalkeeper Conor Tracey recounted the excitement of the moment they learned of the group draw. “We gathered at the club at 6am to watch the draw live, before we went to work. Every time a name came up, we were speechless – the most iconic teams in history, a dream draw for anyone who wants to test themselves,” said Tracey, who works in a veterinary pharmaceutical warehouse.
But the daily physical work has negatively affected his health. "The work I do is very physical, and this has made me more susceptible to injuries than a professional goalkeeper. There have been very difficult moments mentally, especially on cold winter mornings. I have often thought about giving up." However, participating in the Club World Cup has been the main motivation to continue.
From European dreams to real estate reality
Vice-captain Adam Mitchell, who once had a chance to play for Crvena Zvezda and then Slovenia and England, decided to return to New Zealand for a more stable life working in real estate. "The dream of becoming a professional is very big for many young people, but the reality is very harsh. There are thousands of players fighting for a few contracts. When you don't make it, and you're away from home, it's very difficult mentally," he said.
However, returning to Auckland City gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion in a different way, representing his country on the biggest stage. "I have unforgettable memories of the 2010 World Cup, when New Zealand drew three games. Now we have a tremendous opportunity to do something similar with our club," Mitchell said.
On the field, 11 against 11, with passion and hope
For Ilich, the idea of playing against a star like Joshua Kimmich is a dream come true. "I've always followed Kimmich. Also, Musiala is another exceptional player. They have quality in every position," he said.
Goalkeeper Tracey, who will face the icon Manuel Neuer, sees this as a unique challenge to show the world that Auckland City are not here for tourism. In defence, Mitchell will be tasked with stopping Harry Kane, who he considers one of the best strikers of his generation.
Despite the big names up against them, the Auckland City team is not afraid of the challenge. “They get paid millions a year, we are amateurs playing for the love of the game. But we have something special: we are close friends and we fight for each other,” Ilich concluded. “If we follow the coach’s plan and give it our all, who knows what can happen? At the end of the day, it’s just 11 against 11. We’re going there to do what we’ve always done: dream of greatness.” (A2 Televizion)
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